Transcontinental Railroad - Grade Tour
There are lots of terrific events leading up to the big sesquicentennial celebration of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.
In early April, an old friend and I were part of a 4wd caravan "Grade Tour" that traveled along about 30 miles of the original Central Pacific line in northwest Utah. The old rail is long gone, along with the cities that grew up along the line, but there are plenty of archaeological remnants that tell a fascinating story of one of the most pivotal events in US history.
Our host was Kirk Huffaker of Preservation Utah. Our guides guides were Ray Kelsey, with the BLM, and Christopher Merrit, with the Utah Division of State History for Antiquities. EXPERTS! I learned a TON about that railroad, before the completion and after. About the cities that popped up along the route, that have now all but disappeared. About the impact of the railroad. About the horrible working conditions. Fascinating stuff. Interested? Try googling "kelton terrace utah"
All in all, it was a grand day. I'm very anxious for the sesquicentennial celebration in a few weeks!
In early April, an old friend and I were part of a 4wd caravan "Grade Tour" that traveled along about 30 miles of the original Central Pacific line in northwest Utah. The old rail is long gone, along with the cities that grew up along the line, but there are plenty of archaeological remnants that tell a fascinating story of one of the most pivotal events in US history.
Our host was Kirk Huffaker of Preservation Utah. Our guides guides were Ray Kelsey, with the BLM, and Christopher Merrit, with the Utah Division of State History for Antiquities. EXPERTS! I learned a TON about that railroad, before the completion and after. About the cities that popped up along the route, that have now all but disappeared. About the impact of the railroad. About the horrible working conditions. Fascinating stuff. Interested? Try googling "kelton terrace utah"
All in all, it was a grand day. I'm very anxious for the sesquicentennial celebration in a few weeks!
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